Golf putting game device

ABSTRACT

A golf putting game device having a ramp with a ball receiving pocket therein, a kicker being disposed in position to return putted balls falling into the pocket, with multi-positional spinners mounted over the ramp in position to be struck and rotated by putted balls, at least some of the spinners being disposed over the pocket in position to be struck and rotated by a ball so returned by the kicker.

United States Patent 1191 Brandell Dec. 17, 1974 GOLF PUTTING GAME DEVICE 2,427,434 9/1947 Whitehouse..... 273/127 1) 2,582,290 l/l952 Smith 273/l27 C [76] Inventor: P sequola 3,306,619 2/1967 Brandell 273/184 A x Trall, Glenvlew, Ill. 60025 [22 i 13 1973 Primary ExaminerGeorge J. Marlo Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Root & OKeeffe [21] Appl. No.: 388,125

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl...... 273/179 A, 273/185 R, 273/138 A, A golf putting game device having a ramp with a ball 273/127 D receiving pocket therein, a kicker being disposed in [51] Int. Cl A63b 69/36 position to return putted balls falling into the pocket, [58] Field of Search 273/178, 179, 127, 184, with multi-positional spinners mounted over the ramp 273/185, 138 A in position to be struck and rotated by putted balls, at least some of the spinners being disposed over the [56] References Cited pocket in position to be struck and rotated by a ball so UNITED STATES PATENTS returned y the kicker-1 650,948 6/l900 Nelson 273/[27 D 21 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTED mm 7 I974 SHEET 10F 55 Q Min mm, m 11914 3'. 854.728

sum 3 or 5 GOLF PUTTING GAME DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to golf putting game devices and, more particularly, golf putting game devices which embody spinners which may be rotated by putted balls.

It is a primary object of the present invention to afford a novel golf putting game device.

Another object of the present invention is to afford a novel golf putting game device of the type embodying a pocket simulating the usual cup into which a ball is putted in a regular game of golf and which device embodies a mechanism for returning to the player a putted ball which falls into the pocket.

Yet another object of the present invention is to afford a novel golf putting game device which embodies spinners constituted and arranged in a novel and expeditious manner, and which spinners may be struck and rotated by putted balls during the playing of a game with the device.

A further object of the present invention is to afford a novel golf putting game device which also affords a novel golf putting practice device by which a golfer may practice various aspects of putting, including accuracy in the direction of the putt, speed of putt and distance of putt.

An object ancillary to the foregoing is to afford a novel golf putting game device wherein such aspects of putting may be practiced in a novel and expeditious manner, while enabling the ball to be effectively returned to the golfer at the completion of each putt.

Another object of the present invention is to afford a novel golf putting game device embodying spinners which are so constituted and arranged that a player can cause them to assume intentionally selected positions, chosen from a plurality of possible positions, by accurately controlled putts.

Another object is to afford a novel golf putting game device embodying spinners, at least some of which are rotatable in a novel and expeditious manner whereby the at-rest position of the individual spinner, after it has been rotated, is beyond the control of the player.

Yet another object is to afford a novel golf putting game device, the playing of which may combine skill and chance in a novel and expeditious manner.

A further object of the present invention is to afford a novel golf putting game device, embodying ballreturn mechanism, wherein the parts are constituted and arranged in a novel and expeditious manner whereby substantially any ball putted into the device will be returned in the usual manner to the player making the putt.

Another object of the present invention is to afford a novel golf putting game device which is practical and efficient in operation, and which may be readily and" economically produced commercially.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show the preferred embodiments of the present invention and the principles thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf putting game device embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the golf putting game device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the golf putting game device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary bottom view of the device shown in FIG. 1, with a portion .of the device broken away toshow underlying parts;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a portion of the mechanism embodied in the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary detail top plan view of a portion of the device shown in FIG. 2, with certain parts removed;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a golf putting game device, illustrating a modified form of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 10-10 in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary front elevational view similar to FIG. 8, but illustrating another modified form of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS SHOW HEREIN A golf putting game device 1, embodying the principles of the present invention, is shown in FIGS. 1-8, inclusive, of the drawings to illustrate the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The golf putting game device 1, embodies, in general, a base 2 having an upwardly open pocket 3 therein for receiving a putted golf ball, with a kicker device 4 being disposed adjacent to the pocket 3 for returning a putted ball from the device 1 to the putting position from which a person putted the ball thereinto.

The base 2 includes an elongated, laterally upstanding wall 5, having an intermediate or rear portion 6 extending between two side portions 7 and 8, FIGS. 1 and 2. The wall 5 extends along the periphery of the base 2, and the side portions 7 and 8 terminate at their front ends 9 and 10, respectively, at the front end of the device l, in uniplanar relation to the front edge 11 of the floor 12.

The floor 12 includes a front ramp 13, which slopes upwardly and rearwardly from the front edge 11, and a rear ramp or mainbody portion 14, which extends rearwardly from the rear edge'portion of the front ramp 13. The rear edge of the front ramp 13 is disposed at a higher elevational level than the front edge of the rear ramp 14 of floor 12 to afford a rearwardly facing ridge 15 at the junction of the front ramp 13 and the rear ramp 14 of the floor 12. The front ramp 13 extends between and is supported by the front end portions of the side portions 7 and 8 of the wall 5, and the rear ramp or main body portion 14 of the floor 12 is supported by the portions 6-8 of the wall at a higher elevational level than the front edge 11. Preferably, the sidewall 5 and floor 12 are of one-piece construction, being molded of any suitable material, such as, for example, high impact polystyrene, or the like.

An opening or hole 16 is formed in the floor 12 to define the upper end of the pocket 3, for a purpose which will be discussed in greater detail. In the preferred form of golf putting game device 1, shown in FIGS. 1-8 of the drawings, the opening 16 is formed in the front edge portion of the main body portion 14 of the floor 12 immediately adjacent the ridge 15, in centered position between the side portions 7 and 8 of the wall 5, the opening 16 terminating at its rear edge in forwardly spaced relation to the rear portion 6 of the wall 5.

The pocket 3 includes an upstanding sidewall 17 defining the outer periphery thereof, and a bottom wall 18 extending across and closing the bottom of the sidewall 17. The pocket 3 embodies a main body portion 19 at the front thereof, which comprises the major portion of a circle, The front edge of the main body portion 19 of the cup 3 is disposed in substantially tangential relation to the ridge 15, and the pocket 3 embodies a relatively small, concave-rearwardly indention or depression 20 disposed substantially diametrically opposite the front edge of the main portion 19, FIGS. 1 and 2.

Two substantially straight, parallel sidewalls 21 and 22 extend between and interconnect the main body portion 19 of the cup 3 and the depression 20. The two sidewall portions 21 and 22, together with the depression 20, afford a recess for receiving a golf ball to be ejected from the device 1, as will be discussed in greater detail presently. The diameter of the main body portion 19 of the pocket 3, parallel to the front edge 11, preferably is relatively small as compared to that of a golf ball. For example, the diameter of a United States golf ball is 1.68 inches and in the preferred form of the present device, the diameter of the main body portion 19 of the pocket 3 is 2 A. inches.

An elongated ridge 23, which is formed integrally with the main body portion 14 of the floor 12, extends across the upper face of floor 12 midway between the wall portions 7 and 8, the ridge 23 extending rearwardly from the rear edge portion of the depression 20 and terminating forwardly of the rear portion 6 of the wall 5, FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. The ridge 23 preferably is gently curved upwardly from the main body portion 14 of the floor 12 in all directions, and affords the top wall of a recess 24 in the base 2, in which the kicker 4 is disposed, FIG. 4.

All portions of the main body portion 14, exteriorly of the ridge 23, slopes directly downwardly and forwardly toward the ridge at a ball-impelling angle, such as, for example, 12. Thus, it will be seen that any golf ball coming to rest on the main body portion 14 will roll by gravity toward the ridge 151 Both end portions of the ridge is slope rearwardly away from the center thereof at a suitable ball impelling angle, such as, for example, the aforementioned twelve degrees. Thus, because of the slope of the main body portion 14 and the ridge 15, any ball coming to rest against the ridge 15 will roll by gravity along the ridge 15 into the main body portion 19 of the pocket 3.

The rear portion 6 of the wall 5, and those portions of the side portions 7 and 8 of the wall 5 disposed rearwardly of the ridge 15 preferably project substantially vertically above the top surface of the main body portion 14 of the floor 12 a distance greater than the diameter of a golf ball. Also, the rear wall of the ridge 15 preferably extends substantially vertically above the adjacent top surface of the main body 14 of the floor 12 throughout its length a distance of between one-half and two-thirds the radius of a golf ball. For example, the ridge 15 may extend above the main body portion 14 a distance of seven-sixteenths inch at the center thereof and one-half degree at the ends thereof. With this construction, it is substantially insured that any golf ball putted across any portion of the front ramp 13 will be retained on the device 1 in'such a manner that it will fall into the pocket 3, even though it is putted at such a speed that it passes around the main body portion 14 of the floor 12 in engagement with the wall 5 and strikes the ridge 15 with considerable force, the ball, under such conditions, tending to bounce straight up in the air and come back down on the main body portion 14 of the floor 12.

It will be remembered that the golf putting practice device 1 embodies a kicker device 4 for returning a putted ball to the person making the putt. The kicker device 4 comprises a solenoid 24 embodying a coil 25 and a plunger 26, the plunger 26 normally being held in retracted position by a compression coil spring 27, FIG. 4. The base 2 has a socket 28, FIG. 4, afforded by two parallel ribs 29 and 30, FIG. 5, which project downwardly from the floor 12. The socket 28 is so disposed in the base 2 that when the kicker device 4 is disposed in operative position therein, it is disposed immediately behind the depression 20 with the plunger 26 disposed in axial alignment with, and immediately behind, an opening 31, FIGS. 1 and 4, formed in the portion of the sidewall 17 of the pocket 3 in which the depression 20 is formed. A bottom plate 32 is removably mounted by suitable means such as screws 33 on the rear portion of the base 2 in the assembled golf putting game device 1 in underlying relation to the kicker device 4, FIGS. 4 and 5. The socket 28 is so disposed in the base 2, that, in the assembled device 1, the bottom plate 32 snugly retains the kicker device therein. In its normal, at-rest position the plunger 26 is fully retracted and yieldingly held in abutting engagement with a downwardly projecting partition wall 34 in the base 2, defining the rear end of the socket 28, FIG. 4.

The sidewall portions 21 and 22, disposed on opposite sides of the depression 20in the pocket 3, preferably are spaced from each other a distance only slightly greater than the diameter of a golf ball, such as, for example, thirty-thousandths of an inch. The depression 20 is preferably of such size and configuration that it is complementary to the outside size and shape of that portion of the golf ball which is disposed therein, when I the ball is disposed between the sidewall portions 21 and 22 in its most rearward position in the pocket 3. Preferably, the sidewall portions 21 and 22project forwardly from the rear of the' depression 20 such a distance that when a golf ball is so disposed in the depression 20, the project beyond the center of the golf ball. With the recess thus afforded by the depression 20 and the sidewall portions 22 of such size, it affords an effective holding device for holding a ball to be ejected in proper position in the pocket 3.

A control switch 35, FIG. 5, is connected between the solenoid coil 25 and a power cord 36, and a plunger type switch button 37 is disposed in thedepression 20 of the pocket 3 in position to be engaged by such a ball, such as the ball B, FIG. 4, disposed in operative position in the depression 20, to thereby close the switch 35 and actuate the solenoid 24.

The entire upper face of the bottom 18 of the pocket 3 slopes downwardly and rearwardly at not less than a ball impelling angle, such as for example, five degrees, so that balls disposed in the pocket 3 will be caused to roll toward the rear thereof. The portion 38 of the bottom 18 of the pocket 3, FIG. 4, on which a golf ball, such as the ball B rests, when it is disposed in its aforementioned rearwardmost position in the depression 20, is at a somewhat greater angle, such as, for example, With the pocket 3 constructed in this manner, balls putted thereinto are effectively engaged by the sidewalls thereof as to insure that that the ball will come to rest in the depression 20 without bouncing away from the kicker element 4.

The portion 38 of the bottom 18 of the pocket 3 is disposed between the sidewall portions 21 and 22 and is so disposed, and is of such size as to insure that a ball to be ejected from the golf putting game device 1 is resting thereon and is supported entirely thereby at the time it is to be ejected. The angle of inclination of the portion 38 of the bottom 18 is such that when a ball is disposed in operative position in the depression 20 and is struck by the plunger 26 of the kicker element 4 in an ejecting operation, the engagement of the portion 38 with the ball is such that the ball is caused to bounce or to be thrown forwardly over the ridge 15, as illustrated by the ball B, FIG. 4, and be returned to the person who made the putt.

The angle of inclination of the portion 38, of course, will vary with the height of the ridge, such as the ridge 15, over which it is to be ejected, and with the force with which the ball is truck by the kicker element, such as the kicker element 4. For example, it has been found that, with the ridge 15 having a height of l inches above the area 38, and with the kicker element 4 striking the ball at an upwardly inclined angle of 5 with a force sufficient to roll a golf ball 20-25 feet across the usual carpet, the slope of the area 38 may be 13 to 20, and preferably is in the nature of 15.

In the preferred form of golf putting game device 1 shown in FIGS. 1-8, three spinners 39, 40 and 41 are rotatably mounted on an elongated supporting member 42 over the floor 12 of the base 2, FIGS. 1-3. The supporting member 42 is of substantially inverted U-shape, having two substantially parallel, vertical end legs 43 and 44 interconnected at their upper ends by an elongated cross bar 45, FIGS. 3 and 6. The supporting member 42 may be made of any suitable material, but, preferably is made of a relatively stiff, resilient material, such as, for example, spring steel. Two oppositely, and horizontally outwardly opening hooks 46 and 47 are formed on the lower ends of the legs 43 and 44, respectively.

The supporting member 42 may be mounted in the base 2 by flexing the legs 43 and 44 inwardly toward each other; inserting the hooks 46 and 47 downwardly into elongated slots 48 and 49, respectively, formed in the main body portion 14 of the bottom wall 12, inwardly of and adjacent to the sidewall portions 7 and 8 of the wall 5, respectively, FIG. 5; and then releasing the legs 43 and 44 to permit the hooks 46 and 47 to latchingly engage the outer ends of the slots 48 and 49,

and to dispose the legs 43 and 44 in recesses 50 and 51 afforded in the side portions 7 and 8, respectively, of the wall 5, immediately adjacent the outer ends of the slots 48 and 49, respectively, and extending vertically the full width of the wall 5, above the floor 12, as illustrated with respect to the leg 44 in FIG. 8.

The spinners 39-41 are all identical in construction. Each embodies a central hub portion 52, from which three identical, elongated blades 53, 54 and 55 project outwardly therefrom in equally spaced relation to each other, FIGS. 1 and 4. Each hub 52 has an opening 56 extending longitudinally therethrough, the openings 56 being polygonal in transverse cross section to afford a plurality of equally spaced apices 57 therearound, FIG. 4. The openings 56 in the preferred form of the device 1 shown in the drawings, are in the form of an equilateral triangle, and thus have three such equally spaced apices 57.

The supporting member 42 preferably is round in transverse cross section, and of such cross-sectional size that it fits snugly, but freely, in the respective apices 57, when the spinners 39-41 are disposed in normal at-rest position, so that the spinners 39-41 are freely rotatable thereon. Preferably, the diameter of the cross bar 45 is a small fraction of the altitude of the equilateral triangle which defines the shape of the opening 56,

such as, for example, one fourth of such altitude, so

that the spinners hang from the supporting member 42 in an off-center-downwardly position relative thereto. With this arrangement of the spinners 39-41 on the supporting member 42, they must be turned more than one-sixth of a revolution from normal at-rest position in order to cause them to rotate into position wherein they are suspended by the next adjacent apex 57.

The cross bar 45 has three spinner-supporting portions 58, 59 and 60, which are all off-set downwardly I from the main body portion 61 thereof, FIGS. 3 and 6.

Each of the supporting portions 58-60 embodies a cross bar portion 62, which is disposed in downwardly spaced, substantially parallel relation to the main body portion 61 of the cross bar 45, the cross bars 62 of the supporting portions 58 and being disposed in unilinear relation to each other, and the cross bar 62 of the supporting portion 59 being disposed midway between the supporting portions 58 and 60, and in downwardly spaced relation to the cross bars 62 thereof.

In the assembling of the supporting member 42 and the spinners 39-41, one end of the supporting member 42 may be inserted through the opening 56in the spinner 40, and the spinner 40 may be moved along the supporting member 42 into position wherein it is disposed around the cross bar 62 of the supporting portion 59, with one of the apices .57 thereof resting on the cross bar 62 of the supporting portion 59; and the legs 43 and 44 may be inserted through the openings 56 in the spinners 39 and 41, respectively, and the latter may be moved along. the supporting member 42 into position wherein they are similarly'disposed in the supporting portions 58 and 60, respectively. The supporting member 42 may then be mounted in operative position in the base 2 in the manner previously mentioned, whereby the hooks 46 and 47 are releasably engaged with the rear ramp 14 of the floor 12, and the legs 43 and 44 are disposed in the recesses 50 and 51, respectively.

In the preferred form of golf putting game device 1 shown in the drawings, when the supporting member 42, with the spinners 39-41 disposed thereon, is disposed in operative position on the base 2, the spinner 40 is disposed midway between the side portions 7 and 8 of the wall directly over the front portion of the cup 3; and the spinners 39 and 41 are disposed in outwardly spaced relation to the cup 3 and in inwardly spaced relation to the sidewall portions 7 and 8, respectively, of the wall 5, FIGS. 2 and 3. In the preferred form of the spinners 39-41, shown in FIGS. 1-8, the blades 53-55 thereof form outwardly projecting extensions of respective sidewalls of the triangular-shaped hub portions 52, FIG. 4. The spinners 39-41 are so disposed on the cross bar 45 that in normal at-rest position of the spinners, one of the blades 53-55 projects downwardly and forwardly from the cross bar 45 at an acute angle, as illustrated with respect to the blades 54 in FIGS. 1 and 4. In this position of any one of the blades 53-55, the front face 63 thereof is readily visible to a person standing in front of the golf putting game device 1, and the corresponding faces 63 of the other two of the blades 53-55 on the respective spinners 39-41 are hidden from the view of a person who is so positioned, for a purpose which will be discussed in greater detail presently.

The spinners 39 and 41 are disposed at such a height over the rear ramp 14, and the blades 53-55 are of such a length that when a golf ball, moving rearwardly across the rear ramp 14 engages one of the blades 53-55 of the spinners 39 or 41, and moves completely past the spinner 39 or 40, it is effective to move the blade, so engaged, rearwardly past vertical position to a rearwardly projecting position effective to cause the rethe blades 53-55 in the aforementioned forwardly and downwardly projecting position; and that when a golf ball moves forwardly into engagement with such a positioned one of the blades 53-55 of either of the spinners 39 or 41, the engaged blade is moved forwardly and upwardly to an extent insufficient to cause rotation of the spinner 39 or 41 to the next apex 57, the thus moved spinner 39 or 41 merely rocking forwardly and then back rearwardly into the same normal at-rest position when such a ball passes forwardly thereunder.

Similarly, in the preferred form of the device 1, when the spinner 40 is disposed in normal at-rest position, the one of the blades 53-55, which is disposed in the aforementioned forwardly and downwardly projecting position, is so positioned that a golf ball passing directly up the front ramp 13 into the front of the cup 3 is effective to engage the blade and push it rearwardly past vertical position a sufficient amount that it is effective to cause the spinner 40 to be rotated in a counterclockposed in the path of travel of such an ejected ball, so that it will be struck thereby. In the preferred form of the device 1, such downwardly and forwardly projecting blade on the spinner 40 is disposed in such position that when it is so struck by an ejected ball, the spinner is caused to rotate freely through several complete revolutions in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4. This, it will be seen, is effective to cause the spinner 40 to spin in a wild fashion, wherein the next at-rest position thereof is determined entirely by chance, as distinguished from the controlled rotation of one third of a revolution, when a ball passing rearwardly across the floor 12 engages one of the blades 53-55 of one of the spinners 39-41.

It will be remembered that the spinners 39 and 41 are spaced outwardly of the cup 3, and that they are spaced inwardly of the side portions 7 and 8, respectively, of the wall 5. Preferably, this spacing is such that a ball passing upwardly or rearwardly between the cup 3 and either of the spinners 39 and 41 cannot pass therebetween without operatively engaging the adjacent spinner 39 and 41; but that a ball may pass forwardly or rearwardly between the spinners 39 and 41 and the adjacent sidewall portion 7 and 8, respectively, without engaging the adjacent spinner 39 or 41. Also, in the preferred form of the device 1, the spinners 39-41 are so disposed relatively to the ridge 15, that a golf ball passing downwardly along the ridge 15 from the left or the right, as viewed in FIG. 2,.into the cup 3, will pass forwardly of the spinner 39 or 41, respectively, and rearwardly of the'spinner 40,'into the cup 3, without engaging any one of the spinners 39-41, or, at least, without engaging them with sufficient force to move them into a different at-rest position.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that with the device 1 constituted and arranged in the aforementioned manner, a player, by accurately controlling his putts, so as to strike either the spinner 39 or the spinner 41 during rearward movement of the ball across the rear ramp 14, may controllably position the respective spinner 39 or 41, advancing it one third of a revolution in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 4, with each putted ball. Thus, bycareful, accurate putting a player may selectively position either of the spinners 39 or 41 so that a selected one of the blades 53-55 thereof is disposed in the aforementioned downwardly and forwardly projecting position wherein the face 63 thereon is readily visible to the player.

However, the same is not true of the spinner 40. In this connection, it will be remembered that, although a putted ball, caused to go directly into the cup 3, is effective to advance the spinner 40 one third of a revolution in the aforementioned counterclockwise direction, when the ball is ejected from the cup 3 by the kicker 24, the spinner 40 is caused to wildly spin, so that the next at-rest position thereof is determined by chance. Thus, the device 1 affords a game which can be used to combine skill with chance.

Suitable indicia such as numeralsN, or other suitable symbols, may be placed on each of the faces 63 of the blades 53-55 of each of the spinners 39-41, and the purpose of the game may be to cause various combinations of such symbols to be presented on the faces 63 of the three downwardly and forwardly projecting blades of the spinners 39-41. A skillful player. for example. can cause the spinners 39 and 41 to be disposed in the desired position. thus leaving only the final positioning of the spinner 40 to be determined by chance. Two players, each-starting with the spinners disposed in a predetermined position (such as, for example, with the numerals 1 on blades 54 visible to the player),-

and each player making a predetermined number of successive putts can play a very entertaining game, which combines skill in putting with an element of chance so that it is appealing both to the expert and less skillful putter.

Also, if a person desires to practice his putting, he can practice for accuracy, for example, by putting with the intention of selectively engaging any one of the spinners 39-41; and he can practice for speed or distance of putt by putting toward either of the spinners 39 and 41 so as to, for example, cause the ball to merely drop over the edge of the ridge 15, without striking the spinner 39 or 41, or to cause the spinner 39 or 41 to merely be rocked a short distance in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 4, without being moved far enough that the spinner will move to a different at-rest position; or to putt with sufficient speed as to cause the ball to engage the spinner 39 or 41 and also strike the rear portion 6 of the wall 5. In each instance, after the ball has passed over the ridge 15, it will pass into the cup 3 and be returned by the kicker 4 to the person making the putt.

Also, it will be seen that using the device 1, a ball putted thereinto wide of the spinners 39-41 can pass upwardly around the wall 5 into engagement with the other end of the ridge 15, and then roll downwardly along the ridge into the cup 3 without changing the at-rest position of any of the spinners 39-41. This, of course, could be utilized by players playing a game. For example, a game could be played which had for its purpose to putt onto the rear ramp 14 without striking any of the spinners 39-41, except for the striking thereof occasioned by the ejection of the ball from the cup 3 by the kicker 24. Also, it will be seen that, with the device 1, a quite widely missed putt, which does not strike any of the spinners 39-41, but does roll onto the rear ramp 14, will be returned to the player.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, a modified form of the present invention is shown, and parts which are the same as parts shown in FIGS. 1-8 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and parts which are similar to, but which have been substituted for parts shown in FIGS. 1-8 are indicated by the same reference numerals with a suffix a added thereto.

The golf putting game device la, shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, is identical in construction to the golf putting game device 1 shown in FIGS. 1-8, except for the construction of the cross bar 45a of the supporting member 42a, the location of the spinners 39a, 40a and 41a, and the construction of the spinners 39a-4la.

The cross bar 45a of the supporting member 42a has only a single supporting portion 59a thereon, the spinners 39a-41a all being disposed on the cross bar portion 62a of the supporting-portion 59a, FIG. 9. Like the supporting portion 59 of the device 1, the supporting portion 59a is disposed midway between the sidewall portions 7 and 8. The spinners 39a-4la are of such width that they are all disposed over the front end portion of the cup 3 in position to be simultaneously struck by a ball to be putted into the cup 3, and by a ball ejected by the kicker 24 from the cup 3.

The spinners 39a-4la are identical in construction to the spinners 39-41, except that the hub portions 520 thereof have end portions 64 projecting outwardly from each end thereof, beyond the blades 53-55, so as to afford spacers between the blades 53-55 of the adjacent spinners 39a-41a mounted on the supporting portion 59a of the supporting member 42a.

With this construction, it will be seen that the actuation of the spinners 39a-41a by a putted ball is the same as that heretofore described with respect to the actuation of the spinner 40 by a putted ball. A ball putted directly into the cup 3 will cause the spinners 39a-41a to be rotated one third of a revolution. However, when the ball is ejected from the cup 3 by the kicker mechanism 24, all of the spinners 39a-41a are struck by the ball and caused to freely rotate on the cross bar 62a, so that the final positioning of the spinners 39a-41a is determined substantially entirely by chance.

In FIG. 11, another modified form of the present invention is shown, and parts which are the same as parts shown in FIGS. 1-8 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and parts which are similar to parts shown in FIGS. 1-8 but which have been substituted therefor, are indicated by the same reference numerals with the suffix b.

The putting game device 1b, shown in FIG. 11 is identical in construction to the device 1 shown in FIGS. 1-8, except that the cross bar 45b of the supporting member 42b is different in construction; two spinners 40b are disposed over the cup 3; and the spinners 40b are constructed in the manner of the spinners 39a-41a, shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

In the device lb shown in FIG. 11, the spinners 39 and 41 are disposed in the same position relative to the base 2 as the spinners 39 and 41 in the device 1. However, the supporting portion 59b of the cross bar 45b of the supporting member 42b is of such size as to rotatably support two spinners 40b thereon, the latter being disposed over the front edge portion of the cup 3 in position to be simultaneously struck by a putted ball, and to be simultaneously struck by an ejected ball in the manner hereinbefore described with respect to the spinners 39a-41a, shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

It will be seen that, with the golf putting game device lb constructed in the manner illustrated in FIG. 11, the positioning of the spinners 39 and 41 may be controlled by a skillful putter. Also, like the spinner 40 shown in FIG. 1, the positioning of the twospinners 40b is determined primarily by chance, the uncertainty of the chance being changed because of two such spinners being disposed over the cup 3 rather than the one spinner embodied in the device 1, as shown in FIGS. l-8.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel golf putting game device which is entertaining to use by young or old, and b skilled or unskilled putters.

Also, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel golf playing game device which effectively enables both skill and chance to enter into the playing of a game therewith.

In addition, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel golf putting game device which may be effectively used in a novel and expeditious manner to practice various aspects of putting.

Further, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel golf putting game device which is practical and efficient in operation, and which may be readily and economically produced commercially.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that these are capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A golf putting game device comprising a. means affording a target area into which a ball may be putted from a putting position remote from that area,

b. means for returning a ball along a predetermined path from said area toward said putting position,

c. spinner means, having a plurality of at-rest positions, mounted in said path in position to be struck by such a ball during movement of said ball along said path from said area toward said putting position to thereby cause said spinner means to rotate out of the at-rest position in which it was disposed.

2. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 1, and in which a. said means affording a target area comprises a ballreceiving pocket, and b. said means for returning a ball comprises a kicker for striking such a ball in said pocket and impelling said ball out of said pocket toward said putting position. 3. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 2, and in which a. said spinner means comprises a single spinner mounted in said position to be struck. 4. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 2, and in which a. said spinner means comprises a plurality of spinners, and b. said spinners are mounted in said path in position to all be struck by a single ball moving along said path. 5. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 2, and which includes a. ramp means disposed laterally of said pocket and along which balls putted from said putting position in directions off line from sald pocket may roll, and

b. other spinner means disposed over said ramp' means in position to be struck by said last mentioned putted balls and thereby caused to rotate.

6. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 5,

and in which a. said other spinner means comprise spinners disposed at opposite sides of said pocket.

7. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 6,

and in which a. said ramp means is inclined upwardly away from said putting position for causing balls thereon to roll toward said putting position,

b. each of said last mentioned spinners embodies a plurality of blades projecting outwardly away from each other,

c. each of said last mentioned spinners has a plurality of normal at-rest positions in each of which one of said blades thereon projects downwardly at an acute angle in the direction of said putting position in position wherein l. a golf ball rolling across said ramp means from said putting postiion and striking said one blade is effective to rotate said spinner to the next adjacent normal at-rest position thereof, and

2. A golf ball rolling across said ramp means in the opposite direction and striking said one blade is ineffective to rotate said spinner to another normal at-rest position thereof.

8. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 7,

and in which a. said first mentioned spinner means comprises a spinner disposed over said pocket,

b. said spinner disposed over said pocket embodies a plurality of blades projecting outwardly away from each other, and

c. said spinner disposed over said pocket has a plurality of normal at-rest positions in each of which one of said blades thereon projects downwardly at an acute angle in the direction of said putting position in position wherein,

1. a golf ball rolling on a straight line from said putting position into said pocket will strike said last mentioned one blade and rotate said last mentioned spinner to the next adjacent normal at-rest position thereof, and

2. a golf ball so impelled out of said pocket by said kicker will strike said last mentioned one blade and cause said last mentioned one spinner to spin freely through several revolutions and come to rest in one of said normal at-rest positions thereof.

9. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 8,

and in which a. said ramp includes a ridge 1. extending transversely thereacross, and 2. facing away from said putting position,

b. said ridge is disposed in position wherein such golf balls engaged with said ridge on the side thereof, remote from said putting position, will roll therealong toward the center longitudinal portion thereof and 1. pass by any of said spinners disposed adjacent to the path of travel of said ball along said ridge without rotating them into a different normal atrest position, and

2. fall into said pocket.

10. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 9,

and in which a. said ridge is disposed in position wherein such a ball so rolling therealong will 1. pass between any such adjacent other spinners and said putting position, and

2. pass on the side of said spinner disposed over said pocket remote from said putting position.

11. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 10 and in which a. said ramp slopes straight forwardly toward said ridge.

12. A golf putting game device comprising a. a base including 1. a floor, and 2. an elongated wall a. projecting laterally upwardly from a peripheral edge of said floor, and

b. terminating at its opposite ends on respective sides of a front edge portion of said floor,

b. said front edge portion including a front ramp sloping upwardly and rearwardly from the front edge of said floor,

0. said floor including a rear ramp 1. disposed rearwardly of said front ramp,

2. having a ball receiving pocket therein, and 3. sloping downwardly toward said front ramp,

(1. kicker means for ejecting a ball from said pocket along a path of travel extending across said front ramp, and

e. spinner means having a plurality of at-rest positions, mounted above said floor in position to be struck and rotated by a ball ejected by said kicker means along said path of travel.

13. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 12,

and in which a. said spinner means is disposed in position to be struck and rotated by a ball passing from outside said base on a straight line across said front ramp and directly into said pocket.

14. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 12,

and in which a. said spinner means comprises a spinner including a plurality of blades projecting outwardly away from each other, and

b. respective ones of said blades are disposed in position to be struck by a ball ejected by said kicker means along said path of travel to thereby rotate said spinner when said spinner is disposed in corresponding respective ones of said normal at-rest positions.

15. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 14,

and in which a. when said one of said blades is disposed in said position to be struck by a ball ejected by said kicker means along said path of travel, it is disposed in position to be struck by a ball and cause rotation of said spinner, when said ball passes from outside said base on a straight line across said front ramp and directly into said pocket.

16. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 15,

and

a. which includes other of said spinners disposed between said pocket and said wall on opposite sides of said pocket, and

b. in which 1. said other spinners are disposed over said rear ramp in position to be struck by a ball passing rearwardly over said rear ramp to thereby rotate said other spinners.

17. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 16,

and in which a. said first mentioned spinner and said other spinners 1. include hubs a. from which said blades project, and b. having polygonal shaped openings extending therethrough and having a plurality of spaced apices therearound, and 2. are rotatably mounted on and supported by supporting means extending through said openings, and

b. said supporting means are supportingly engaged with respective ones of said hubs in respective ones of said apices when said spinners are disposed in respective normal at-rest positions.

18. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 17,

and in which a. said first mentioned spinner is disposed over said pocket in such position that when one of said blades thereof is struck by a ball ejected by said kicker along said path of travel said first mentioned spinner is spun freely -thereby through a plurality of revolutions. 19. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 18, and in which a. said other spinners are disposed over said rear ramp in such position that 1. when they are struck by a ball passing rearwardly over said rear ramp and rotated thereby they are rotated on said supporting means from one of said apices to the next adjacent one of said apices, and 2. when they are struck by a ball passing forwardly over said rear ramp said ball is ineffective to rotate said other spinners on said supporting means from one of said apices to another of said apices.

20. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 19, and in which a. a rearwardly facing elongated ridge 1. extends along the junction of said front ramp and said rear ramp,

2. terminates at its opposite ends at said wall on respective opposite sides of said base,

3. is disposed adjacent to the front edge of said pocket, and

4. slopes forwardly from both ends thereof toward said pocket,

b. said ridge is disposed in such position that the path of travel for balls traveling therealong from either outer end thereof to the center thereof, is l. in front of adjacent ones of said other spinners,

2. to the rear of said first mentioned spinner, and 3. into said pocket. 21. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 20, and in which a. said other spinners are spaced from said wall such a distance that said such a ball may roll l. rearwardly across one end of said ridge between one end portion of said wall and said other spinners.

2. around the rear portion of said wall rearwardly of said spinners, and then 3. forwardly along the other end portion of said wall outwardly of said other spinners into engagement with the. other end of said ridge,

b. said ends of said ridge are of sufficient height to stop such fowardly moving balls rearwardly of said front ramp, and

c. said rear ramp slopes inwardly toward said pocket along said ridge so that such balls engaged with said ridge will roll therealong into said pocket. 

1. A golf putting game device comprising a. means affording a target area into which a ball may be putted from a putting position remote from that area, b. means for returning a ball along a predetermined path from said area toward said putting position, c. spinner means, having a plurality of at-rest positions, mounted in said path in position to be struck by such a ball during movement of said ball along said path from said area toward said putting position to thereby cause said spinner means to rotate out of the at-rest position in which it was disposed.
 2. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 1, and in which a. said means affording a target area comprises a ball-receiving pocket, and b. said means for returning a ball comprises a kicker for striking such a ball in said pocket and impelling said ball out of said pocket toward said putting position.
 2. A golf ball rolling across said ramp means in the opposite direction and striking said one blade is ineffective to rotate said spinner to another normal at-rest position thereof.
 2. pass on the side of said spinner disposed over said pocket remote from said putting position.
 2. fall into said pocket.
 2. facing away from said putting position, b. said ridge is disposed in position wherein such golf balls engaged with said ridge on the side thereof, remote from said putting position, will roll therealong toward the center longitudinal portion thereof and
 2. a golf ball so impelled out of said pocket by said kicker will strike said last mentioned one Blade and cause said last mentioned one spinner to spin freely through several revolutions and come to rest in one of said normal at-rest positions thereof.
 2. are rotatably mounted on and supported by supporting means extending through said openings, and b. said supporting means are supportingly engaged with respective ones of said hubs in respective ones of said apices when said spinners are disposed in respective normal at-rest positions.
 2. when they are struck by a ball passing forwardly over said rear ramp said ball is ineffective to rotate said other spinners on said supporting means from one of said apices to another of said apices.
 2. terminates at its opposite ends at said wall on respective opposite sides of said base,
 2. to the rear of said first mentioned spinner, and
 2. around the rear portion of said wall rearwardly of said spinners, and then
 2. having a ball receiving pocket therein, and
 2. an elongated wall a. projecting laterally upwardly from a peripheral edge of said floor, and b. terminating at its opposite ends on respective sides of a front edge portion of said floor, b. said front edge portion including a front ramp sloping upwardly and rearwardly from the front edge of said floor, c. said floor including a rear ramp
 3. forwardly along the other end portion of said wall outwardly of said other spinners into engagement with the other end of said ridge, b. said ends of said ridge are of sufficient height to stop such fowardly moving balls rearwardly of said front ramp, and c. said rear ramp slopes inwardly toward said pocket along said ridge so that such balls engaged with said ridge will roll therealong into said pocket.
 3. into said pocket.
 3. is disposed adjacent to the front edge of said pocket, and
 3. sloping downwardly toward said front ramp, d. kicker means for ejecting a ball from said pocket along a path of travel extending across said front ramp, and e. spinner means having a plurality of at-rest positions, mounted above said floor in position to be struck and rotated by a ball ejected by said kicker means along said path of travel.
 3. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 2, and in which a. said spinner means comprises a single spinner mounted in said position to be struck.
 4. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 2, and in which a. said spinner means comprises a plurality of spinners, and b. said spinners are mounted in said path in position to all be struck by a single ball moving along said path.
 4. slopes forwardly from both ends thereof toward said pocket, b. said ridge is disposed in such position that the path of travel for balls traveling therealong from either outer end thereof to the center thereof, is
 5. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 2, and which includes a. ramp means disposed laterally of said pocket and along which balls putted from said putting position in directions off line from saId pocket may roll, and b. other spinner means disposed over said ramp means in position to be struck by said last mentioned putted balls and thereby caused to rotate.
 6. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 5, and in which a. said other spinner means comprise spinners disposed at opposite sides of said pocket.
 7. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 6, and in which a. said ramp means is inclined upwardly away from said putting position for causing balls thereon to roll toward said putting position, b. each of said last mentioned spinners embodies a plurality of blades projecting outwardly away from each other, c. each of said last mentioned spinners has a plurality of normal at-rest positions in each of which one of said blades thereon projects downwardly at an acute angle in the direction of said putting position in position wherein
 8. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 7, and in which a. said first mentioned spinner means comprises a spinner disposed over said pocket, b. said spinner disposed over said pocket embodies a plurality of blades projecting outwardly away from each other, and c. said spinner disposed over said pocket has a plurality of normal at-rest positions in each of which one of said blades thereon projects downwardly at an acute angle in the direction of said putting position in position wherein,
 9. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 8, and in which a. said ramp includes a ridge
 10. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 9, and in which a. said ridge is disposed in position wherein such a ball so rolling therealong will
 11. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 10 and in which a. said ramp slopes straight forwardly toward said ridge.
 12. A golf putting game device comprising a. a base including
 13. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 12, and in which a. said spinner means is disposed in position to be struck and rotated by a ball passing from outside said base on a straight line across said front ramp and directly into said pocket.
 14. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 12, and in which a. said spinner means comprises a spinner including a plurality of blades projecting outwardly away from each other, and b. respective ones of said blades are disposed in position to be struck by a ball ejected by said kicker means along said path of travel to thereby rotate said spinner when said spinner is disposed in corresponding respective ones of said normal at-rest positions.
 15. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 14, and in which a. when said one of said blades is disposed in said position to be struck by a ball ejected by said kicker means along said path of travel, it is disposed in position to be struck by a ball and cause rotation of said spinner, when said ball passes from outside said base on a straight line across said front ramp and directly into said pocket.
 16. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 15, and a. which includes other of said spinners disposed between said pocket and said wall on opposite sides of said pocket, and b. in which
 17. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 16, and in which a. said first mentioned spinner and said other spinners
 18. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 17, and in which a. said first mentioned spinner is disposed over said pocket in such position that when one of said blades thereof is struck by a ball ejected by said kicker along said path of travel said first mentioned spinner is spun freely thereby through a plurality of revolutions.
 19. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 18, and in which a. said other spinners are disposed over said rear ramp in such position that
 20. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 19, and in which a. a rearwardly facing elongated ridge
 21. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 20, and in which a. said other spinners are spaced from said wall such a distance that said such a ball may roll 